Langley hosts power in pink party

It’s about a few hundred people, all dressing in pink, letting lose on the dance floor for an hour and a half to raise money for breast cancer.

It’s the seventh annual Zumbathon, and for the first time in the fundraising event’s history, it’s being held in Langley this weekend.

Zumba fitness instructor Kimberly Hunt, of Pitt Meadows, started the event seven years ago with a class of 25 women.

The next year, they expanded to invite friends and family of her students, pushing participation up to 45. And, as word spread, year three broke the 110 mark – bringing together a growing a mix of women and men, Hunt said.

In years four through six, the Zumbathon grew to about 200 participants and graduated to larger digs at the Shannon Hall in Cloverdale, before settling this year in the Fitness Unlimited gym on Glover Road.

“We have survivors and people living with a diagnosis. We have people directly touched by this disease, and others who just want to help. It’s all kinds of women and men. It’s the community coming together. And we’re all wearing pink, and we’re all Zumba-ing for an hour and a half together,” Hunt said.

She knows, first hand, from having breast cancer hit her family, that the words “you have breast cancer will stop your world.”

Her mother-in-law was diagnosed this past year, and after chemotherapy, she’s fortunately recovering from recent surgery and has a positive prognosis.

“We may not have a cure right now, but I have seen the technology, and I have seen people surviving more, and I know that those dollars are helping the families that are in need, who are undergoing breast cancer services,” Hunt said.

That’s why she feels all awareness and fundraising events, such as the Zumbathon, are key – and she’s anxious to do her part.

The 2018 Zumbathon is being held Saturday, Oct. 13, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 20501 Logan Ave. Admission is a minimum donation of $15 to the Canadian Cancer Society. Drop-ins are welcome.

Last year’s event – the biggest yet – raised $3,550, and Hunt hopes to top that this weekend.

“You don’t need experience, you don’t have to be a dance addict,” Hunt said. “It’s all about coming out, having fun, letting lose, and having a good time for a good cause.”